Kaieteur News

Guyana should brace for more sugar shortage - source

Friday Edition July 29, 2022 - Vol. 24 No. 33

Online readership yesterday, 69,980

ExxonMobil awards contract to lay Gas-to-Shore pipeline without EPA permit GAWU defends pact with TT oil union - maintains industrial relations climate in oil and gas sector poor

$64M to build Man shot office for DPP dead after - Engineer’s in Reg. 2 Estimate killing miner

‘Romantic bandit’ spared jail time …as victim accepts repayment, drops charges

Former Finance Minister says...

Guyana left open to abuse by not utilising US$20M World Bank loan to strengthen management of oil sector

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 29, 2022

Guyana should brace for more sugar shortage - source With the agreements already in place for a significant quota of Guyana’s sugar to be exported and sold on the world market, locals are likely to experience further sugar shortages for the rest of the year.

This is according to a

source attached to the sugar industry. The report comes amidst reports of dwindling production rates, widespread scarcity of the commodity on the local market and the country’s commitment to its export market.

Kaieteur News understands that while

GuySuCo’s production quota for the second half of the year is set at around 40,000 metric tons, it may very well be unable to adequately satisfy local consumption. Domestic use of the sweetener is set at around 12,000 metric tonnes.

According to a

GuySuCo report for May 2022, the corporation has already signed agreements to have the sweetener exported to several foreign ports.

These include the historical commitment to provide the United States with some 18,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of sugar; St. Lucia at 1000

Empty supermarket shelves reflect the sugar shortage

MT; St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 3000MT, and Trinidad and Tobago at 11,000M. With a 33,000MT total in sales, what is left; 7,000 MT makes Guyana 5,000 MT short of the commodity for local consumption. GuySuCo’s marketing report of May 2022, which was released last June also reflects a dip in sales both locally and to the Caribbean countries.

Nevertheless, the report outlined that the corporation has secured new clients in Suriname. The first shipment of one container was expected to leave by the end of April 2022. According to the report, GuySuCo also secured new clients for bagged and packaged sugar in French Guiana, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad, but the company was unable to fill the requests owing to the Uitvlugt Estate being out of operation and the Blairmont Estate filling the void on the local markets.

The report outlined that Barbados has also expressed interest in the sachet and p a c k a g e d s u g a r. T h e information comes even as local distributors, small businesses and consumers alike, continue to complain bitterly about the shortage of the sweetener locally but GuySuCo has been maintaining there is no shortage in the bulk, only of packaged sugar.

However, one frustrated distributor has pushed by against GuySuCo’s claims.

He explained that he usually purchases a weekly quota from the sugar factory but he has been put on a wait list for six weeks. “They [GuySuCo] is making me wait for six weeks and when they finish, they are only giving me 25 percent of my order. So, I want the public to know that the factory is only trying to fool people.

Everybody, seeing it as clear as day that sugar is not there on the shelves.”

The businessman noted too that the Sugar Corporation has been meeting with distributors and telling them that only certain categories of people will be given preferential treatment.

The distributor revealed, “At the meeting, they are telling us that we need to hold off on the orders because they are looking at three categories of customers that is the manufacturers, the bakery and the supermarkets.

Everybody else has to wait.”

He continued, “I don’t think they understand the impact this shortage has on businesses like mine or on the working class and poorer class consumers. They are saying that there is price gouging but they are causing it! And in the end, is the poor man who will suffer.”

He nonetheless called on GuySuCo to take steps to contain the situation before it gets out-of-hand.

Earlier this month, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Sasenarine Singh had published a video on social media refuting a shortage of bulk sugar countrywide. He however confirmed that there is a shortage of the packaged sugar on the local market.

But while the CEO insists that there is no shortage of sugar across the country, the Bank of Guyana in its quarterly report stated that this year there were decreases in the production of sugar by 47.7 percent. The decrease recorded this year by the Bank was attributed to the halt in grinding at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, caused by mechanical issues, which impacted production, as this estate was responsible for 25 percent of output. As reported on, the Uitvlugt Estate was down since March due to mechanical issues of its #1Mill turbine gearbox. The gearbox had to be replaced with a new one from overseas.

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Friday July 29, 2022

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Guyana left open to abuse by not utilising US$20M World Bank loan to strengthen management of oil sector - Former Finance Minister

F

ormer Finance Minister, Winston Jordan believes Guyana is taking several steps backward by failing to make prompt use of a US$20M World Bank loan that was taken in 2019 to strengthen the country’s capacity to govern the oil sector.

In an interview with this newspaper recently, the economist expressed disappointment that the government appears to have two faces when it comes to the sector.

He said the administration is very vocal about wanting the industry to be enveloped by transparency, however, its dealings with the loan, tell a different story.

Jordan acknowledged that the coalition regime made several wrong turns during its time in managing the sector. Be that as it may, Jordan said it is now more critical than ever that the government demonstrate that it is learning from the mistakes of its predecessor.

Expounding further, Jordan said the country’s failure to utilize a loan that would equip it with the regulatory and institutional might to protect the sector from wanton abuse is a frightening prospective for any citizen to contemplate.

The former Finance Minister said, “I agree with sentiments that Guyana is taking several steps

backward with its failure to utilize this loan which the APNU+AFC coalition signed onto. And clearly, there are two faces when it comes to the management of the sector; that is clear to all. Guyana is being used and abused both by foreigners and by locals and in many ways, this government does not have the fortitude.”

He continued, “Yes we made our own mistakes when it comes to the sector and the learning curve has been very steep when you attempt things you have no prior experience with. But we came up against Exxon which has decades of years of experience versus Guyana which you can count in single digits. One of the things about governance is that when you fall down, you have to make sure that you don’t make the same mistakes again. It does not appear that the government has learned from us.”

The former minister said it is imperative that the government demonstrates that it is learning; that the country has a strong foothold while alluding that the failure to do so puts the country in an even more weakened state before the behemoth that is Exxon. “When we were in office, we were fair game for others and so you heard a lot of statements about ‘We will renegotiate the 2016 Exxon

Former Finance Minister and Economist, Winston Jordan contract when we get in there’ and ‘we will take a tougher line when we get in there’ and so you heard all of those things. But now that the tables of turn, we are left to worry even more…We appear to be worse off than we were before,” expressed the economist.

Jordan in closing recalled that the loan was intended to ensure Guyana is armed with the mechanisms necessary to claw back value that could be lost in the

‘Rich-on-paper’ Guyana faces two sets of danger as it produces more US- former official International bodies as well as local officials have touted Guyana as the fastest growing economy in the world because of its oil and gas sector but a former US Bureaucrat told President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday that his country is only “wealthy on paper”.

This means that as Guyana produces more oil, it is presumed to be rich and many financial institutions would be willing to finance projects in Guyana but with high interest rates. President Irfaan Ali was at the time a guest on the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) programme titled, strengthening the Guyana-US relationship and was being interviewed by the former bureaucrat, Daniel F. Runde.

Runde is now the Senior Vice President and Director on Project on Prosperity and Development, of CSIS. One of the questions he asked Ali was if he (Ali) could imagine a different sort of financial cooperation with the United States,

given the fact that the country does not have the capital as yet, despite it is considered to be the fastest growing economy in the world.

However, before posing this question, Runde told Ali that it worries him that Guyana is going to become rich quickly but on paper.

“One of the things that worries me is that on paper you’re going to become very (rich) quickly maybe not today but in five years’ time and you know all the terms upper middle income, high income… So the bureaucrats are going to say and I’m a former bureaucrat… well on paper, you’re a wealthy country.”

With this being said, Runde went on to ask his question about Guyana seeking other sorts of financial cooperation because it does have the capital it needs to address certain developmental issues in the areas of education, agriculture, transport, climate and food security.

He continued his question by further asking Ali how can the US be of help to Guyana and suggested

that if a USAID Mission is set up in the country, it could be one form of financial cooperation that affordable. He added that he would like see World Bank play a greater role in terms of financing projects in Guyana. However, Runde hinted that because of the fact that on paper Guyana appears to be a high income country the World Bank would not be willing to cooperate and the most engagement it would get is with the Inter-American Development Bank because it more reliable.

“I’m sure the World Bank looks

sector and to ensure she is endowed with the expertise necessary to protect herself from various forms of abuse. He is of the view that Guyana will continue to be in a most vulnerable position if this state of affairs is not addressed with some degree of alacrity.

Kaieteur News previously reported that since the PPP/C Government took office in 2020, it has not requested any disbursements from the World Bank for US$20M loan.

The latest implementation status and results (ISR) report recalls that the money was approved on March 29, 2019 for the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP). The programme’s objective is to ensure the enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks and the strengthening of the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector.

A Financing Agreement in the amount of US$20 million was signed and declared effective on April 11, 2019 under the David Granger administration. The ISR, which was reviewed by Kaieteur News, presents the implementation status of GPRGMP as of March 2022.

The financial institution said, “ T h e p r o j e c t ’s o v e r a l l

implementation has been downgraded to ‘Moderately Unsatisfactory’, with around 24% of the total credit disbursed and no disbursement requests received by the Bank since October 2020.”

Starting in the early part of the second quarter of 2021 and following a seven-month hiatus, the bank said traction with, and engagement by the client had improved markedly under the Ministry of Natural Resources leadership, and momentum on procurement activities picked up considerably.

However, starting in the fourth quarter of last year, the bank said project implementation came to a halt, particularly on critical procurement activities intended to have helped the project reacquire its implementation timeline, and meet its indicators and performance objectives.

The bank in its report said that the government has indicated as recently as late December 2021, its intention to “refine the scope of the project to bring it in line with current government priorities.”

That process is still ongoing. In the meantime, the World Bank said it remains on standby awaiting any guidance from the Government of Guyana on the status and direction of the project and a resumption of critical project activities.

President Irfaan Ali and Daniel F. Runde during the discussions on Wednesday

at you and say, Oh you’re kind of a higher-income country and so the most engagement you would get is probably from the Inter American Bank they are the most reliable organisation for this work” Kaieteur News understands that the danger this poses for Guyana is that because it is only rich on paper development loans would attract higher interest rates because it appears to be a high-income country. Runde then explained how the USAID mission can assist Guyana and Ali in his response said “That conversation have started

and this week have been about that, redefining the relationship, looking at the strategic outlook of Guyana and aligning that with the various actors here in the US , so that process has started.”

He added that that is why the government recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US Exim Bank for US$2B. “IDB Invest is playing a much more active role in the market these days. If you look maybe a year from now at the financing portfolio of Guyana, it will be very (Continued on page 8)

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Kaieteur News

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Who is for Guyanese?

I

s there anybody out there for Guyanese? Which one of our leaders, our public institutions, our representatives is rising up and taking a stand for increasingly alarmed citizens of this country? The short answer to the questions is that Guyanese are on their own, and the sooner that they come to an appreciation of this, the better it is for them.

Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reported to be joining forces with American powerhouse, Schlumberger, to fight the residents of Houston, East Bank Demerara, who are worried about hazardous material in their neighbourhood.

As incredible as it sounds, this is neither a nightmare nor a product of our imagination, but all too real, where locals are left openmouthed by more and more instances of their fellow Guyanese joining hands with foreigners to defeat and endanger them. The EPA has already compiled a long, troubling record of not being in the corner of Guyanese, on just about everything. This State agency routinely dismisses as unnecessary the need for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to be completed on different projects in our growing oil sector, and other areas outside of oil, whether such involves bridges or bonds.

The record is there, and it is worth the examining, and even when some kind of EIA is done, it usually leaves so much to be desired relative to thoroughness and genuineness. This has not been good for the confidence of Guyanese, who find themselves, almost always coming up on the losing side of sensitive developments. This certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouths of Guyanese that their own that they trusted are among those selling them out. But this is only a part of the story.

Just as unbelievably, there was the rancid spectacle of several PPP/C Government MPs taking a hard, determined stance against obtaining full liability coverage from ExxonMobil should a disastrous oil spill occur in its operations. If MPs can’t take a stand on that which protects us and brings us some peace of mind, then what are these people good for?

Also, what are our Members of Parliament about when they swear to take their duties seriously, and deliver them to the best of their abilities, but still end up in this place that shouts what is nothing but undermining the interests and future prospects of this poor nation? When our own Guyanese lawmakers can be more committed to the cares and concerns of the foreign oil companies, and leave us hanging by a thread, then who are they working for?

What is really going on all over, and even in our parliament?

All we will say is that it doesn’t look good in the least, and reeks of the suspicious, if not worse.

We identify with a school of thinking in Guyana that PPP/C Government MPs are really not standing for what they think, or what they believe, on the vital issue of full liability coverage from ExxonMobil if an oil spill happens. Rather, it is about what has been stuffed into their minds by a top government leader, who is all about total control, and with which they dare not go against, no matter how unpatriotic it makes them look, or how shallow.

It is a truly sad and sickly state when bright Guyanese, those who we don’t think lack a conscience or patriotic instincts, are reduced to this embarrassing and humiliating level, where they will sing anything for their supper, as dictated by a cunning and self-destructive leader.

Then, there was a development where one senior leader in today’s PPPC Government seems to be pleased to do some front running for the Chinese oil company (CNOOC) that is part of the Exxon consortium.

He did so by not being accurate on how much they made, and that it was more than Guyana. This was what one well-known local figure had to point out in that CNOOC played games with its financials, by deducting from those statements the billions in taxes that we are actually paying for the company.

How can any self-respecting leader do something like this? Why is there this madness, this national abandonment of loyalty to country and citizens, when it is needed the most?

Guyanese encouraged to return to the core values of Dr. Cheddi Jagan DEAR EDITOR, As Guyana continues to be mired in disagreements spanning a number of crucial economic issues, I have been thinking to myself that we need to hit the reset button, to return to the core values about ourselves as a people, this being the basis for our push for our Independence from Britain in 1966. More particularly, all Guyanese, but especially the People’s Progressive Party, are encouraged to reflect, to return to the original set of values and purpose upon which Dr. Cheddi Jagan, along with his wife and Ashton Chase, established the People’s Progressive Party in January 1950. Many Guyanese may be surprised that Forbes Burnham himself was also a PPP founding member, being registered as the party’s chairman at the time. Sydney King also shared Dr. Jagan’s vision, as a valiant soldier within the PPP at the time. African Guyanese would be surprised at the nobility of purpose upon which our country was birthed. The values and vision of the PPP at the time reflected the true character of Dr. Jagan himself, who remained committed to equality, equity, fairness and development for all Guyanese regardless of race, ‘class’ or religion.

For me, these values of equality, equity and fairness were godly, innocent, reflecting a caring love and concern for all Guyanese without prejudice. This said, I also reflected that it is an unfortunate reality that Guyanese in general are unfamiliar that Dr. Jagan as the man who should be truly regarded as the Father of our

nation, that this deficiency is something which could be addressed at the national level by incorporating this and the important episodes of our pre-independence history which unite us as a people into our education system between the Grades 7-9 levels. The PPP, Dr. Jagan, have almost suffered a stolen heritage.

The PPP’s own return to the vision and values of Dr. Jagan would be transformative since there would be a return to the concept of equity in development and delivery of government services to all Guyanese. Especially also, it would be crucial in reshaping public opinion about the People’s Progressive Party as a truly national party.

A critical area in national development for example is ensuring that public servants, be they workers across the various ministries, nurses, teachers who create leaders of tomorrow or the joint services, receive incomes which allow them to lead normal lives where they can provide adequately for themselves, their children, their parents and other extended family without having to work at second jobs. This is in addition to owning their own homes and acquiring all the amenities that come with living in this modern world. This is crucial as a basic principle of society, that the incomes of public servants be a standard for valuing compensation within society.

Reflecting on real world outcomes, there have been long running disputes between government and the respective union representatives of the various

categories of public servants, to the point where for the longest while governmentimposed salary increases have been the norm. In the circumstances, it is quite obvious that public servants have been underpaid for the duration of the time government-imposed wage increases have been applied.

The concern has always been that government doesn’t have enough money, among any other number of common excuses. It should be recalled here that government’s socalled inadequacies in times past have been purely a result of economic mismanagement on a scale which reduced Guyana as a nation to beggar status globally. The claim about inadequate resources is now laid to rest with the inflow of wealth from the sale of our national oil resources.

It is important that we sidestep the blame game of under which administration mismanagement occurred, or which administration was worse, that we instead sincerely commit to Dr. Jagan’s values of equality and fairness for all.

With this as our guide, given the extent of dispute between the unions and government over acceptable salaries, the administration is encouraged to take the initiative and sit with unions to resolve this issue as a matter of priority. It is further recommended that given that it is unlikely that disagreements over salaries will continue, that the administration invite the unions to nominate persons to an arbitration panel tasked with commissioning an independent study to examine the issue of salaries so that

an impartial recommendation can be made which will reflect the welfare concerns of public servants.

This arbitration panel would also be tasked with making recommendations for payments of salaries covering the period of years over which public servants were underpaid, this most probably being the year in which administration initiated its independent imposition of salary increases for public servants. Other governance issues which could be addressed expeditiously on this subject is that salary increases agreed to, be subsequently paid upon agreement with respective unions versus waiting until year’s end.

It goes without saying that this is a must, muchneeded reallocation of our national resources to compensate public servants as a means of addressing the many deficiencies notably prevalent across nearly all areas of public service.

Without question, resources can be prioritised from within the current budget framework and funds available from revenues from our oil, a virtual blank cheque for poverty elimination and the promotion of welfare growth across all segments of the population.

Incomes of public servants should be addressed as a matter of national priority, not to mention our underrepresented pensioners who have given their lives in our service, alongside the push to stimulate investment and growth in the other economic sectors.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

Optimism justified – Guyana’s leadership in good hands DEAR EDITOR, Good News! Prudent Governance! This is how I feel as I read that, “Guyana’s economy continues to shine as IMF projects gloomy outlook for the world.” This is not propaganda. According to the Washington Post, January 2022, right after a strong rebound in 2021, the global economy is now in a pronounced slowdown amid fresh threats from COVID-19 variants and a rise in inflation, debt, and income inequality, all of which could endanger the recovery in emerging and developing economies. In fact, the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report that “Global growth is expected to decelerate markedly from 5.5 percent in

2021 to 4.1 percent in 2022 and 3.2 percent in 2023, as pentup demand dissipates and as fiscal and monetary support is unwound across the world.” Bleak indeed!

However, Guyana is expected to ‘stand out above the rest’ in a very timely manner too, as the country has its booming oil and gas sector. Gleaning from the local dailies, I see that just last month, the World Bank in its Global Economic Prospects report outlined that “Guyana is leading the pack with the highest forecast for Gross Domestic Project (GDP) growth for Latin America and the Caribbean Region with 47.9 percent.” Those figures are buttressed by 34.3 percent GDP growth in 2023, yet

again representing the highest growth forecast for the Region. This kind of forecast is candid, and has no ‘politics’ to it. It is consistent with the country’s outlook according to Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who reported a revised 2022 growth projection for the country: 57.8 percent in 2022 up from the 47.5 percent projection made earlier this year. Let me add that the nonoil economy is projected to grow by 7.7 per cent.

I draw attention to my outburst of ‘Prudent Governance,’ as I recall that Guyana’s Mid-Year Report for 2021 did indicate that Guyana recorded real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 14.5 percent while non-oil GDP

grew by 4.8 percent, “… despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and even the devastating floods experienced in May-June.”

Havoc was wreaked on the land, and still famine and collapse did not devastate the country. I think that it is still fresh on people’s mind that during this onslaught, the unprecedented floods which impacted particularly the agriculture, forestry and mining sectors, along with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, (the effects of which spilled over into the last half of that year and even beyond), the revised full-year forecast for real GDP growth in 2021 was 19.5 percent overall and (Continued on page 5)

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Kaieteur News

What happened to our religious leaders, their voices especially?

DEAR EDITOR, I am sorry that Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has caught the COVID-19 virus. I pray for the speediest and strongest of recoveries for him. I think that prayer furnishes the opening to highlight an area involving other leaders. Our spiritual leaders in Guyana, our religious leaders. No exceptions.

Has anybody seen our friends from the houses of worship recently? I can say with some strength that I have neither seen nor heard one contrary word from any Archbishop or Bishop, Mullah or Moulvi, Parson, or Pastor in the longest while about some of the terrible shortcomings that race unchecked in the country.

There is no rage, outrage, and none takes umbrage at the leadership desecrations against the wretched in this society. The wretched would be the left out and the poor, the bottom feeders and the afflicted. What happened to ‘he ain’t heavy, he is my brother?’ And ‘am I my brother’s keeper?’ Indeed, it is so, mister.

I pause and listen for any encouraging sounds that may be forthcoming from our spiritual shepherds, our men (mainly men) of God. I regret to say, am ashamed to convey, that the only echoes I hear are the clicks of the keyboard on the computer constructing this carol about the cries of the poor and the utter lack of care and compassion from those left to tend to the little

Optimism justified...

From page 4 3.7 percent for the non-oil economy.

Indeed, a testimony to resilient and wise leadership.

For some final thoughts, I highlight that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) explained that global output contracted in the second quarter of this year, owing to downturns in China and Russia, while consumer spending in the United States undershot expectations.

Then aside from the COVID19 pandemic aftermath, several other shocks hit the world’s economy, namely higher than expected inflation worldwide (especially in the United States and major European economies) that triggered tighter financial

conditions; a worse-thananticipated slowdown in China, reflecting COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns; and further negative spillovers from the current war in Ukraine.

The dismal conclusion is that “The IMF baseline projection is for the world’s economic growth to slow to 3.2 per cent this year – 0.4 per cent lower than what was projected in April.”

So, kudos, justifiably so, for the leaders. Outside of oil and gas, things are still on the upward move. The signs are so noticeable-job creation, housing boom, and quite a lot of infrastructural initiatives.

This is just the beginning.

Yours truly, H. Singh

lost ones. I stand to be corrected, but I am almost certain that all the good books (Holy Bible, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and Koran) speak very clearly, earnestly, and powerfully about the ones that are dear to the heart of the most holy of holies in heaven. If I left out any of the sacred scriptures, I beg forgiveness for my ignorance.

But the ones who are overlooked, ignored, and scorned would be the outcasts and misfits and naysayers and troublemakers and the always, ever-present hungry and hurting and hoping.

These are the ones coming in for much misuse and abuse. So, where are our religious leaders of the flocks?

How come our big religious leaders in this country of so much prosperity have distanced from persuasive expression of the spoken language, where the plight of the poor are concerned?

I always held the belief that solidarity with the losers and lowlifes, the dregs of the times, was a hallmark and lynchpin of religious establishments, regardless of denomination. Where did I go wrong?

Are my expectations off the mark, and how come by so much? I risk incurring the animosity of the top dogs in the religious firmaments, but has never

fazed me before. I seem to recall (Frederick II aside) that Jesus, the Prophet Mohamed, Buddha, and Lord Krishna were all princes of the people, and for the people. Not the rich high society people, or those that belonged to powerful political sectors. All the books emphasise to me that the prime commerce of the holy men was the fruits of heaven, and not attachments for the good graces of the rich and powerful, the flashy and famous. The comforts of the tents of the high are what have silenced spiritual leaders, and to the point that the inhumane is now bosom companion.

If I am committing one sacrilege after the other by daring to call things as they are and making spiritual men (and women) uncomfortable, then I am doing God’s work, and pray that I am among the most pleasing of messengers by shedding this kind of light.

Get used to it, brethren. I am as positive as I can be that whoever is worshipped by anyone anywhere cannot be happy at the way things are in this society, and especially that his chosen shepherds are so uncaring, self-centered, and callous. The evidence is there, and when they delight in hobnobbing with commanders and captains, then a lot is left untended. I close with where I started: is anybody out there listening

at the heights of the religious peaks? Do any of them still have anything left in their hearts to care? Or have they, too, been sucked into the hustles and heroisms of the bright Guyana day? I say that they have. I confess to being sickened to say it publicly, having to say it at all, but I

think that have fallen victim to the lures that entrap so many others. Meanwhile, the environmentally menaced, poverty stricken, and the pariahs are left on their own, with their woes and their pains.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Social contact and the road in front of us DEAR EDITOR, The bludgeon of dismissive human intention on the innocence of parties with an irreproachable and inadvertently perfunctory disposition to unrelated social contact raises dire concern for the basic need of secular and non-religious protective values that ensure civil peace, human respect and a clean road to daily breadwinning.

The abhorrent nature of disrespect in the world of human socialism is an unstoppable force that requires careful intuition to prevent the hardness and tough resolve of intimidating structures of human morale and personality from

obscuring and damaging the path of social peace, respect and human capability.

The understanding of this field of nature around its human livelihood must leave no stones unturned in its scope of peaceful resolve whether endowed with the hardne s s o f m i l i t a r i s e d abruptness or hidden in the fun and laughter of social acceptance and togetherness.

No man is an island, and no two people can be the same, but the power of civil protection over the values that can protect a nation from itself are slowly becoming overpowered to the (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

“ONE GUYANA” must be a goal to be achieved and not just a slogan DEAR EDITOR, I agree with President Ramotar who recently said that Guyana should revert to its former electoral system, whereby candidates would compete in geographical constituencies for seats in Parliament - (Kaieteur News, 15 July 2022). However, I would go a little further and say that what we really need is a sort of a hybrid system which combines the Constituency system (First Past the Post) with the popular vote. While the Constituency system empowers the electorate to choose the candidates who would represent the people’s interest in Parliament, the popular vote would be used to determine the political party which would form the government. In order to arrive at the popular vote, the votes polled by the individual candidates would also be awarded to the political parties they represent.

The following are the

likely implications of such system: 1. There would be a strong possibility of having minority governments. However, a minority government ought to be a good alternative for a racially divided country like Guyana. The powers that be will be forced to be more open to meaningful dialogue with the other side in order to move forward, thereby adopting a more consensual and collaborative approach to governance.

This is essential to the President’s “Oner Guyana” initiative.

2. The people would have their say in choosing their representatives in Parliament, as against what obtains currently where the party, rather than the people, chooses the representatives who are not even known to those they purport to represent.

3. Empowerment of the people through their parliamentary representatives

to influence decisions taken by the government in governance of the country 4. The powers of the almighty President will be diluted in the case of a minority government.

5. Transparency and accountability which many are clamouring for would consequentially find a place in the activities of government. And cries of discrimination and marginalization would be muted.

6. Etc., etc. – you name it!

Let’s face it - there is a serious problem with governance in Guyana, regardless of the political party in government. 56 years of Independence with essentially the same system of governance has only exacerbated our political and thus, racial dilemma, which is the Achilles heel of the nation.

Can you, my brothers and sisters, imagine how far more advanced our country would have been if we, the people,

were working in unity for the past 56 years? President Ali has recognised this, hence his “One Guyana” message and initiative. So, “ONE GUYANA” MUST BE MORE THAN A SLOGAN, BUT A

GOAL TO BE ACHIEVED. It must be seen as a call for positive and transformative action by everyone of influence in the society. Mr. President, while your enthusiasm and passion for

having One Guyana are surely infectious, it seems like the people close to you have taken their booster shots for the “virus”.

Yours sincerely, “Dougla”

Social contact and the road in...

From page 5 verge of helplessness and it must be dealt with immediately. The protection and safety of nations that carry the most painful burdens have been exemplified all over the world where the power of civil law and the classified accordance of social hegemony separates the sheep and the goat and decides what and whom goes where, no matter how indifferent the quality human attributes reflect the livelihood of a people.

The big buses were once a reality, kindly make it a reality again, as this is way and beyond the struggle of those who do not care about

anything because they are independently mobile. People are being insulted, bullied, harassed, robbed, marijuana must be smoked in those minibuses like they eat doubles in Trinidad and a whole lot of other inequities that serve as nothing but to blind and corrupt the hearts of everyday commuters who use these road services to live.

No human being is deserving of unfair contact from external sources of pain and disregard when his pathway can be clean, clear and harmless like those who have their own transportation and like those countries that employ the best means of civil safety on the roadways; but it’s just that a man cannot be jobless in Guyana.

This is no more a question of what else they are supposed to do? Or where would they find money from?

Fishermen are countless, these drivers and touts are numbered and can surely be given resources that compensate their replacement with better transportation services, in an oil driven and rapidly expanding nation of immense knowledge and civil quality; auto dealers can be contracted to buy those buses from them if they will run at a loss or don’t want it, and whatever small buses are

still allowed to work among the big buses should be subjected to real laws and regulations that command the safety and respect of all commuters. I still don’t get these numbers though, nowhere else in the world has these numbers, but people’s life span shorting out like some of these bus drivers’ brain fuses and the intelligence span of some conductors.

Unique specialties are one thing, my good friend Marlon can attest to this, he has the most outstanding ‘Short to Grove’ announcing that anyone in the history of the work has voiced, he has gained a lot from touting, but it is the disrespectful and insulting behaviour that cannot be accepted and the harmful ones must be controlled or segregated from this daily ply; I would rather the numbers start from one to make it fair for all the counting that has passed because a lot of buses have ravaged and damaged our people and roadways and I can only assume why.

Buy big buses because the place is becoming more knowledgeable and no amount of lewdness and harmful traits of human negativity should prevent it.

Regards, Jim Ghani

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday July 29, 2022

Kaieteur News

PPP/C trolls on social media and some sections of the media could not help themselves on Wednesday at the announcement that the Government of Guyana and the US EXIM Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Georgetown to potentially tap US$2B in loans.

The agreement was hailed as historic, by no other than President Irfaan Ali and his sycophantic followers followed suit as if the money was free and was already in our Consolidated Account.

First of all, a MoU is an agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document.

It is not legally binding but signals the willingness of the parties to move forward with a contract. The MoU can be seen as the starting point for negotiations as it defines the scope and purpose of the talks.

The second issue here is that because of this country’s abundant oil resources any and everybody would dangle large loans at us and our clueless leaders will oblige. It would be foolish for this country to further indebt itself with a US$2B loan, when it is barely drawing down anything from the oil, which clearly is what it is borrowing against. With its status as ‘fastest growing economy in the world’ no bank is going to lend Guyana money at concessional rates and by the time the oil runs out, this resource-rich country with the current leaders we have would still be paying back the several loans we have racked up and Guyana would be poorer.

If there is anything we should go by is the telling analysis by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, who pointed out that the smallest partner in the Stabroek Block- CNOOC recorded a net profit in 2021, inclusive of the non-cash tax benefit of some $105.6B before writing off any prior year losses, while Guyana, which owns the oil earned from its share of profit oil $74.5B gross. Maybe what President Ali meant, is that this country is setting itself up for a historic failure under his leadership with that US$2B loan.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

‘Romantic bandit’ spared jail time …as victim accepts repayment, drops charges A 25-year-old woman who pretended to be an Englishman on Facebook to rob another of $85,000 was on Wednesday spared from being jailed after the victim accepted repayment and dropped the charge against her.

The person behind the fake Englishman’ Facebook profile was identified as Susan Richards of Lot 4 Go Slowe Avenue, North East La Penitence, Georgetown and according to investigations conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) she was part of a Romance Scheme” that scammed a woman of $85,000.

Richards was charged with conspiracy to defraud

and was placed before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. She did not have a lawyer at the time and had initially pleaded not guilty to the offence. The magistrate had ordered that she be remanded to prison and return to court on August 3, 2022.

H o w e v e r, R i c h a r d s o b t a i n e d l e g a l representation and the matter was recalled. She was represented by Attorney-atlaw, Eusi Anderson and a bail application was made.

Anderson told the court that his client Richards was pregnant and an environment behind bars would not be healthy for her condition. Anderson argued

that Richards is not a flightrisk and included that she was very cooperative with investigators during the probe. At the end, the magistrate dismissed the case after the victim agreed to accept compensation from Richards.

Kaieteur News understands that Richards decided the repay the victim the $85,000 that she was robbed of. The victim accepted the repayment and took the stand swearing that she will not give any evidence against Richards and the matter was dropped.

According to reports, Richards is being accused of posing as a man from England called Alex who befriended a woman looking

Spared from being jailed, Susan Richards. for love and ended up robbing her of $85,000.

SOCU learnt that Richards convinced the victim that he had bought her some expensive gifts from overseas and had shipped to Georgetown. The victim believed “fake Alex” and followed his instruction to transfer cash to Richards’ to (Continued on page 16)

Friday July 29, 2022

56 new COVID-19 cases detected, 1 person in ICU On Thursday, the Ministry of Health via its daily dashboard disclosed that within the last 24 hours, they have recorded a total of 56 new cases across the country, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 69,676.

The dashboard also states that one patient is admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 21 persons are in institutional isolation, 615 in home isolation and two are quarantined institutionally. To date, a total of 67,768 persons have recovered from the virus.

‘Rich-on-paper’ Guyana faces...

From page 3 impressive because you will see the EU, UK, US, China, you will see a multifaceted approach in terms of the diversification and the diverse nature of the financing that will be s u p p o r t i n g t h e development,” President Ali added.

Speaking on Guyana’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP), the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, stated that Guyana’s pace of development and oil production makes it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. For their part, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that Guyana’s economy will grow by 47% this year due to oil exploration, and the World Bank is projecting that the country’s economy will expand by a massive 49.7 percent this year.

Guyana’s positioning is mainly attributed to the plethora of finds by American oil giant, ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), on the prolific Stabroek Block, which spans more than six million acres in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). EEPGL is the operator of the country’s richest oil block, which is estimated to hold nearly 11 billion barrels of equivalent of oil (beo). With two oil ships, namely the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity, in operation and producing approximately 300,000 barrels a day, Guyana’s growth rate is forecast to jump.

H o w e v e r, d e s p i t e Guyana is being touted as “the fastest growing economy in the world,” President Ali has been

using recent forums and events to remind the world that Guyana is not really a rich country, but a poor one that is in need of concessional financing.

Since leaving Guyana on Sunday for Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America (USA), Ali has been featured on multiple programmes – during which he reminded people that Guyana is not a rich country and invited foreigners to take advantage of the plethora of resources the country has to offer.

During one of the programmes, Ali shared with the audience that he had attended many forums where people tell him, “Oh you’re from Guyana, the new rich kid on the block in oil and gas.” Ali said that he would usually respond to such statements like this, “I say, no, no, I am from Guyana, the humble country that is poor and looking for concessional financing.”

Similarly, at the recent launch of the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, President Ali told the gathering that Guyana is not rich and in need of concessional financing despite being an oil and gas producing nation.

The president had mentioned, “We need low interest financing, don’t tell us that we are rich, no. You classify us as low income.

Once concessional financing is there, we are very happy.” The President sought to explain that development does not take place over night, but is likely to take a ‘longer time’.

He said, “Let’s not rush to this thing that oh we come from an oil producing country of Guyana and we are this rich country. Don’t fall into that narrative. That narrative will self-destruct.”

Friday July 29, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The protests are about bread and butter On Wednesday, gasoline was being sold at petrol pumps in Saudi Arabia at half the price at which petrol was retailing in the United States.

The reason for this is because the Saudis are subsidising the cost of petrol for their nationals. In 2019, the Saudi’s spent close to US$40B in energy subsidies, including subsidising the pump.

Even though the United States is also an oil-producing country, it does not subsidise its petrol sold at the pumps.

There are, however, indirect subsidies to oil exploration and production.

In Guyana, the government offers massive indirect subsidies to the oil companies in the form of concessions.

These subsidies are among the most generous in the world. They reduce the cost of doing business for the oil companies.

Yet, Guyanese consumers do not enjoy subsidies on petrol at the pumps. The government does not pay the companies engaged in the sale of petrol any sum to keep prices low. What the

government has done to cushion price increases is to remove the excise tax on petrol. The excise tax is revenue-generating measure and its removal is not a subsidy.

Guyana has earned bragging rights as an oil producing state. The country is said to be the fastest growing economy in the world. It is also said that we have the third largest reserves of oil in this part of the world.

So given these statistics and the smallness of the economy, should the government not be subsidising the price of petrol at the filling stations.

The reason why this cannot happen is because the horrible deal which was signed between the government and the oil companies. Had there been a fair deal, the royalty rates would have been higher and the tax earnings from profits would have been payable.

With those resources, the government would have been able to reduce the price of gasoline and dieseline at the pumps. It cannot do so at the

moment because it simply cannot afford subsidies at the pump.

The Opposition had called for the government to subsidise the cost of petrol.

Obviously, the Opposition has not done the math. Had it done so, it would have realised that the resources simply are not available, and will not be available, to pay subsidies to the companies which import and distribute petrol. The government’s only option therefore was to remove the taxes on dieseline, gasoline and now lubricating oil. But despite doing this, the prices at the pumps are at their highest ever. As a consequence, transportation costs have gone up as it did in 1989. In 1989, the then PNC government made a massive devaluation of the Guyana dollar. The nation was thrown into shellshock. Persons were so stunned by the resulting massive increase in prices including for petrol that they began to walk around in a daze.

Public service workers were badly affected. Some resigned because they could

Dem boys seh...

Vice News put we local journalists to shame De Vice News people come and do dem mischief and guh away. Dem claim dem was not who dem really was.

Dem impersonate investor and manoeuvre dem way into de Vice President house.

During de thallium sulphate scare, we had a local reporter who did get charge fuh impersonation. But he did get free. Suh we don’t know whether is undercover he went or whether somebody did blow he cover.

But de Vice News come and expose de poor crop ah journalists we gat in Guyana.

Some ah dem does always

know people business but dem don’t report it. But dis time Vice News prove how lil bit dem local journalists know.

Some ah dem never hear bout Su. When yuh ask dem bout Su, dem asking “Who?” It had to tek Vice News fuh come hay fuh Guyanese fuh know de guvament gat wan friend name Su and how he does claim all kind ah thing.

But Su was also a friend of de previous guvament. And dem local journalists either nah know or dem just pretending nat to know.

Yuh gat to wonder how come we reporters nah go

undercover fuh find out about things like how dem Vice News people did do. We nah know whether de law gan protect dem if dem pretend fuh be what dem is not. But Vice News put we reporters to shame.

We had SOCU and SARA. De SOCU was set up to fight organised crime. It did file some charges but none nah stick. De SARA was suppose to recover all de corrupt money which get tief from de State. But nobody can’t show how much money SARA collect.

Talk half. Leff half.

no longer afford the cost of transportation to and from work. The PNC government response was that the taxes on bicycles would be removed. But when you are living in Parika, you cannot ride to work in the city.

The oil companies are contributing to the increase in the cost of living in another manner. They are renting buildings at an exorbitant rate and this has led to an increase in rentals. The oil companies are renting buildings for its officials to the tune of thousands of US dollars. It is the bourgeois class, which is benefitting from these high rentals. They are buying up properties and refurbishing them and then renting them out to the oil companies. The government should look at increasing the taxes on rents and using that money to help the poor.

Officials of oil companies are also being accommodated at high-end hotels such as the

Marriott. This is one of the reasons why rooms are so hard to secure at these hotels.

Now, condominiums are coming. This is being tailormade for the foreign workers in the oil and gas sector. They are the ones being targeted but concessions are going to be given as if the economy is going to benefit.

But who do you think is paying for this luxurious accommodation? Guyana is fetching the tab. The Production Sharing Agreement provides for rentals to be cost recoverable and so the oil officials are living it up while fattening a small band of already superrich Guyanese property owners. When therefore you see those protestors with their placards calling for a better oil deal, this is an issue which impacts on the average consumer. The campaign for a better deal is a bread and butter issue.

The deal which was made

is contributing to the increase in the cost of living – food, rent and transportation inclusive. The country is being shortchanged to the extent that it cannot even provide subsidies for petrol.

The cost of rentals has skyrocketed to the extent that young couples are finding it impossible to rent a twobedroom apartment.

Join the protest if you are concerned about the cost of living. And if you cannot, blow your horn when you are passing the protestors to let them know they have your support.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday July 29, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Charrandass/Ramjattan libel: The mysterious part My co-host on the Gildarie-Freddie Show, Leonard Gildarie asked me on air if I was being paid by the PPP. Leonard said he has heard snippets of that talk from my detractors. Not only Leonard has but I have read it too on social media by people who are antigovernment.

The bribery allegations against Charandass Persaud exposed a huge racial and psychology dimension of this society that lies at the heart of the philosophical foundation of any society.

What Charran did was

normal and common in society and the examples from the past, the contemporary world and current world are countless – people vote against their own party in power because of principles, conscience or rejection of the negative directions of their party.

I saw no difference with Charran. At the time of voting, he was a long standing friend that I have known personally for over 20 years. Charran told me for reason of deep conscience, he wanted the AFC to fall because he felt AFC was

absolutely no good and had betrayed the Guyanese people.

H u n d r e d s o f parliamentarians and American legislators in the past held that feeling and voted against their government. In the case of the UK, it toppled the then serving Prime Minister, Theresa May. Two nights before the vote, I confided Charran’s intention to AFC parliamentarian Michael Carrington on Demico Roof Garden. Months before the vote, I confided that information to David Hinds

at Nicky’s Fish Shop.

What Charran did in voting against his own ruling party was perfectly normal; I repeat the adverb, perfectly.

The next day, allegations of bribery saturated the stateowned newspaper, electronic media and social media. The then Minister of Public Security, spoke openly about Charran’s acceptance of bribery. He told the nation he has information in relation to gold enquiries, Chronicle columnist, Barrington Braithwaite explained the r e a s o n f o r C h a r r a n ’s temptation.

The then Commissioner of Police, told the press that Charran was being investigated for national security reasons.

If Charran’s vote was the first bombshell in the APNU+AFC physiology, in March 2020, came another.

In the midst of the election rigging, the son-in-law of the president and one of the top leaders of the AFC denounced the election rigging. His exclamation drove the final nail in the coffin.

To date, no one, I repeat, no one, not one human in this country and abroad has even hinted that Mr. Gaskin was compromised. But Charran was accused of taking a bribe and I am in the pay of the PPP. For a description of the juxtaposition of Gaskin on the one hand, and me and Charran on the other, please see the following columns of

mine.

T u e s d a y , September 7, 2021, “The Dominic Frederick Kissoon Gaskin story: A curious inexplicability.” minister in charge of Sunday, September 26, national security and the 2021, “Two psychological police chief.

The libel lost by dimensions of March 2020 Ramjattan symbolises a that are simply certain mind set in this frightening.” Thursday, country where based on your O c t o b e r 2 1 , 2 0 2 1 , ” C h a r r a n d a s s class position, you are Persaud and Dominic disrespected and are accused Gaskin: Ethnic signposts,” of not having any semblance Friday, January 28, 2022, of concretised character. No “ K i s s o o n , G a s k i n , one accused Mr. Gaskin of Roopnaraine: More notes financial temptation but Charran was. And I am on race and class.” accused of being in the pay This week, the libel writ of the PPP. I wrote publicly that Charran brought against that President Ali asked me Ramjattan was completed in how I could serve his the High Court with Charran government.

I declined in being awarded 7 million favour of a younger person dollars. Two curiosities or m a y b e m y s t e r i e s a r e holding any position, I was contained in that trial. interested in.

Unlike two persons who Ramjattan, who was in denounced the election charge of national security, offered no evidence even rigging then asked the PPP circumstantial to the court. leadership for top positions Yet this was the man who i n g o v e r n m e n t , w e r e told the nation he knew about refused, and are now hectic anti-government critics, I what Charran took. asked the government for No witness was called to nothing for myself after present even the thinnest of August 2020.

I see no reason evidence against Charran. to criticise Dr. Ali as yet. I This compels you to ask if believe he is heading in the Ramjattan knew anything he right direction.

Why can’t I was talking against Charran take that position out of after the no-confidence vote.

The second mystery is why conscience rather than for Ramjattan did not summon the lust for money?

(The views expressed in Mr. James to give evidence. this article are those of the If any two persons could a u t hor and do not have known about the necessarily reflect the bribery process at the time, it opinions of this newspaper.) would have been the

Man shot dead after killing miner

A

High Wine drinking session on Tuesday ended in bloodshed at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region, Seven after a miner was chopped to death and his alleged killer shot dead with an AR-15 rifle reportedly by a supernumerary constable employed with a mining company in the area.

Dead are Andre Williams called “Roy” of Lethem, Region Nine and his killer, Ryan Singh of Pomeroon River, Region Two. Police investigators reported that the incident took place on the Black Water Main Road while the two were heading to their camp in an intoxicated state. Reports are that they were seen drinking rum together before leaving for their camps. Eyewitnesses told police that while they were walking on the road, they began arguing with each other.

The argument quickly turned deadly after Singh reportedly armed himself with a cutlass and chopped Williams until he fell to the ground. He then tried to flee the scene but two men caught up with him and attempted to detain him.

One of them was identified as Chevez Andrews, a Supernumerary Constable employed with Hopkinson Mining Inc. According to police, Andrews was armed with a high-powered rifle and while he trying to capture Singh, he was attacked.

Investigators said that they were told that Singh fired some chops at Andrews with the cutlass and he defended himself by “warding them off with his gun” but subsequently fired three shots at Singh. Singh was struck and he reportedly turned and run but did not make it far as he collapsed a short distance away in a clump of bushes.

Police visited the scene later to conduct their investigations and arrested Andrews.

Williams’ body bore three gaping wounds to the back of his head, one to his lower back and three deep lacerations to his right shoulder.

Police reported that Singh sustained a gunshot wounds to his upper back and right thigh. The bodies of both men have since been transported to Bartica as police continue their investigations.

Friday July 29, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Friday July 29, 2022

Drivers fined for Amelia’s Ward hit-and-run accident - police awaiting advice on the charge for causing death Two drivers on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court and answered to multiples charges in relation to the hitand-run accident that occurred on Sunday, July 24th, 2022. Brian Henry and Jamal Fredericks of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, both pleaded guilty to the charges of failing to render assistance, failing to report an accident and failing to stop after an accident. They both paid a total of $60,000 each for the three fines.

As it relates to causing death by dangerous driving, the men are yet to be charged w i t h t h a t o ff e n c e , a s investigating ranks are awaiting the file from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigations revealed that one driver collided with a motorcycle from the rear, while the other who was driving behind him, ran over the now deceased Dale Nelson. According to the police, the accident involved motorcar #PGG

Jamal Fredericks and Brian Henry 764 and motorcycle #CK 7806 driven at the time by 18-year-old Julian Graham of Lot 16-32 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden with pillion rider Dale Nelson, of Lot 16-11 Central Amelia’s Ward Linden who was not wearing a safety helmet.

Enquiries disclosed that the motorcar and motorcycle were proceeding in the same direction (east) with the motorcar at the rear, when the right side front portion of motorcar #PGG 764 collided with the left rear portion of motorcycle # CK 7806.

As a result of the impact,

the motorcyclist and the pillion rider fell onto the road surface where they received injuries about their bodies.

The pillion rider was picked up in an unconscious condition while the motorcyclist was picked up in a conscious condition.

They were both taken by public-spirited persons to the Linden Hospital Complex, where the pillion rider died while receiving medical attention.

Motorcar #PGG 764 was later found at Toucan Drive Access Road in Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 29, 2022

PAGE 13

Albion sugar workers protest poor management of GuySuCo S

hop stewards of the Albion Sugar E s t a t e o n Wednesday staged a spirited picketing exercise outside of the estate, calling for better management of the industry.

The stewards are renewing their calls on behalf of the workers of the estate that there must be an examination of the management of the Corporation. “The workers and the stewards remain concerned that the estate and the industry continue to experience serious challenges. They shared that they had high expectations by now that they would have seen great improvement in the estate’s production and productivity. They said they recognised that the estate was challenged by the floods.

However, having regard to they indicated that it does not appear there is a concerted plan to meaningfully reverse the damages,” the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union said in a release.

In addition, the stewards recognised according to GAWU that the GuySuCo continues to advance targets well more than current production and productivity.

“The stewards remain at a loss for such formulations.

They felt that there was a need to be honest and forthright. It is from this basis that correct and appropriate interventions could be made to meaningfully address the challenges being encountered. It was felt that if over ambitious numbers were advanced and consistently not realised it would paint an unfortunate picture.”

The stewards shared that given the current situation they felt that the current management of the

Corporation needed to be seriously evaluated. They indicated that they held the belief that the given the Government’s much needed support the industry should be placed in better hands to ensure that GuySuCo can be returned to sustainability. At this time, they are hopeful that someone in authority can reasonably consider their serious concerns.

Back in June, President of GAWU, Seepaul Narine had used his Enmore Martyrs’ Day speech to call for the sacking of the c o r p o r a t i o n ’s C E O , Sasenarine Singh. Singh’s tenure at the helm of the ailing sugar corporation has repeatedly come under attack owing to the lack of improvements despite billions being pumped into it. “We cannot allow the slide to continue. As the saying goes “heads must roll” and this should start from the topmost executive,” Narine had told the gathering which included President Irfaan Ali and other top government officials.

Narine had said that G AW U r e m a i n s apprehensive “as we considered the recently concluded first crop. It simply was an appalling performance, the lowest first crop output in the history of the Corporation. We have heard the explanations of w e a t h e r, l a b o u r a n d machinery. Such rationales, we contend, are over exemplified to obscure the real issue which is poor leadership and management of the industry.” According to Narine, the degeneration has reached to the point where workers Credit Union savings deducted from their wages are not remitted.

President Ali also earlier in June at a meeting with senior officials of GuySuCo had emphasised that it

Shop Stewards at Albion Sugar Estate protest against poor management of GuySuCo cannot be “business as usual anymore” and there must be sweeping changes.

According to him, the corporation does not belong to any individual or group, but to the country. “We are not investing all of these resources in GuySuCo for failure. The restructuring and strengthening of GuySuCo is not a joke.

When we said we want to make this industry viable, it is not a mystery.” “Success does not start with money, success starts with the right attitude, success starts with teams, success starts with people and if we can’t get this fundamentally right, then we have no hope of b e i n g successful—absolutely no hope of being successful,” President Ali said.

GuySuCo last year produced 30,865MT less of sugar when compared with 2020. Based on a report, GuySuCo’s pre-audited production stood at 58,025MT of sugar in 2021 compared to 88,890MT in 2020. Despite the significant shortfall, the Corporation had said it met all the needs of the local market for 2021.

It was explained that the shortfall was a result of the loss of some 35 percent of the standing cane during the 2nd Crop of 2021 due to the flood. “At Albion, where 50 percent of the production was programmed to be

made, the mortality rate for the standing canes planned to be harvested for the 1st Crop of 2022 is estimated at 80 percent due to the floods.

On the Berbice Estates where more than 77 percent of the production is made,

the rainfalls in 2021 were 72 percent more than the previous year,” GuySuCo detailed, while noting that it drained some 4.5 million tonnes of water off the land daily during the 65-day flood.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday July 29, 2022

Unit established at COVID Hospital to handle monkeypox cases A special unit has been established at the Guyana’s Infectious Disease Hospital, Liliendaal, to accommodate anyone who might be subdued to the global monkeypox virus locally.

The medical post will be outfitted with the necessary reagents and equipment, and full medical staff complement. The approach is another massive step undertaken by the PPP/C Government, as it continues to be on high alert for any possible cases in Guyana.

Government has already trained a number of regional health officials at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, to be better able to detect the infectious disease. “…if they do have a case, they would have the right techniques of how to take the sample, how to store the sample, and transport the sample to the laboratory so that we can do the confirmatory testing at the National Public Health Reference Lab,” Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, said during Thursday’s

COVID-19 Update.

He said Guyana must be prepared to guard against the health emergency. ”This is something that we have to pay a lot of attention to, and try to make sure it is contained,” the health minister asserted.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e administration has established a steering committee as part of efforts to prepare for the monkeypox virus reaching here. The health ministry is also looking to do a continuing medical education course for medical practitioners. This course will help participants with accessing updates on the latest statistics, information, and clinical presentation of the disease. Minister Anthony said the course will help the doctors to know the correct procedure to make reports to the ministry, and how to properly detect any such case. “That how you deal with those types of emergencies; you have to prepare. Therefore, we have all the medical people

trained, know what to look for and once we detect a case, they’ll follow the protocol, Dr. Anthony added.

Additionally, Guyana is working with the international community using a coordinated approach to tackle the infectious monkey pox disease in light of the World H e a l t h O rg a n i s a t i o n ’s ( W H O ) r e c e n t announcement that it is now considered a global ‘public health emergency’.

The monkeypox is a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans.

Globally, there are some 19,306 cases recorded. The typical symptoms included a characteristic rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle aches, headache and sore throat.

Dr. Anthony stated that it is relatively easy to clinically diagnose someone who presents with a rash. In the last seven days, there has been 2,096 new cases in the Americas, which reflects a 63.2 percent increase from

the prior week. Brazil has reported some 690 cases of monkeypox, with 312 new cases over the last seven d a y s . Ve n e z u e l a a l s o recorded one case.

In the Caribbean, there are two cases in Jamaica, one in Barbados, one in Barbuda, one in the Bahamas, and another one in Martinique.

Among the discovery, there are many young men who are affected, primarily those who have sex with the same gender. (DPI)

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

ExxonMobil awards contract to lay Gas-to-Shore pipeline without EPA permit NGL Plant 3P Power Plant

EEPGL President, Alistair-Routledge -30 km onshore

Georgetown

The subsidiary of American oil giant, ExxonMobil, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has moved ahead with awarding the contract to lay the pipeline for the USmultibillion Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project despite no environmental permit being g r a n t e d b y t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This week, EEPGL awarded the contract to lay the US$1.3 billion pipeline component to Subsea 7 and Van Oord, two international companies. The scope covers the project management, engineering, and installation of approximately 190 kilometres of pipeline, with an associated shallow water

portion and onshore approach making landfall to the west of the Demerara River, along the coast of Guyana.

The Environmental Protection (EP) Act is clear at Section 21(1) that “No person shall- (a) construct, alter, extend or replace any plant, structure, equipment, apparatus, mechanism, or thing that may discharge or from which may be discharged a contaminant into any part of the natural environment except under and in accordance with a construction permit issued by the Agency…”

This therefore means that EEPGL is required to seek an environmental permit from the EPA before it rolls out any developmental project that can affect the

environment. EEPGL’s gasto-power project seeks to link the Liza Phases 1 and 2 floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels, the Liza Destiny and Unity, in the Stabroek block onshore Guyana, to supply gas to the country.

EEPGL has been reported to say a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) will be transported through the pipeline by 2024 and that the pipeline would have a maximum capacity of 130 mmscfd. According to Offshore Energy, Craig Broussard, Vice President for Subsea 7 US, said, “We are honoured to have been selected for Guyana Gas to Energy. This is an important project to support the (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 29, 2022

PAGE 15

GAWU defends pact with TT oil union - maintains industrial relations climate in oil and gas sector poor The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union ( G AW U ) i s s t r o n g l y defending its recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) of Trinidad and Tobago insisting that good industrial relations does not currently exist in the local oil and sector. The local workers representative is hoping to feed off the experiences of the more than 80 year running workers’

rights body as it positions itself as a representative of staffers within the budding oil sector.

The GAWU said its attention was drawn to the press statement issued by the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) regarding its recent MoC and assured that the collaborative effort with the foreign entity is all being done in the interest of securing the rights of local workers. GOGEC which

was formed in 2017 by former tourism and trade minister, Manniram Prashad, expressed concern in a statement about the collaboration between the local and foreign unions. He contended that “The OWTU lost a significant amount of its membership We have a relative [sic] stable industrial climate in the oil-and-gas sector in Guyana and we want it to remain that way.”

The statement went on to say that “We respect good

industrial relations and are in the forefront to ensure that we have a healthy industrial climate. It is unfortunate that GAWU feels that foreign intervention is needed to represent oil- and-gas workers who they are attempting to get unionised,” As such, “the GOGEC is urging GAWU to reconsider its decision to bring in a foreign union and to seek help from other trade unions and experienced trade unionists in Guyana in which

there is an abundance.”

T h e G AW U h a s nonetheless refuted the stance that there is good industrial relations within the oil sector given the numerous complaints it has been receiving since locals

became active within the industry. “The Chamber expressed the view that they are good industrial relations practices within the sector.

We do not entirely share that view,” GAWU posited. “In (Continued on page 16)

PAGE 16

Friday July 29, 2022

Kaieteur News

67.2 percent adults fully vaccinated against COVID

VEHICLE FOR SALE

WANTED

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

Tacoma 2014 7400 km Auto 4x4 FORD F150 2007 6" Lift auto 4x4 610-5370

Male and female receptionist experienced in Georgetown 30yrs and over.12 Henry St Werk-enRust 225-9211.

1 domestic age 28-40 to work 2 times per week. Address: 192 Duncan St. Newtown, Kitty.

Call: 613-7651.

Washbay staff Male & Female salary $2500-$3500 Depending on skill and experience 649-7371

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

Specialized Repairs/Service Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Pressure Pump, Stove, Treadmill, Dryer, Filtration System, Deepfryer Ect.6949733.

LAND FOR SALE Uitulugt $4.2 Mil, Enmore $6 Mil Call: 697-6311 / 673-7057

TO LET 3 Bedroom House & Rooms in Albertown.Call: 225-3234 / 698-7807

WANTED Experienced taxi drivers (Hire car License) at Princess Hotel. Call: 616-5419/265-7075/ 265-7076.

Lathe Operator Call: 645-9333.

One Maid/Helper, Must be able to wash, cook & clean.

Ability to work flexible hours if required. 7 am to 4: 30 pm.

Call645-5008.

One male able bodied clerk.Tel:231-2029,616-5954.

Approximately 67.2 percent of the adult population has been fully vaccinated against the devastating COVID-19 virus, as the Ministry of Health advances efforts to ensure Guyana reaches herd immunity.

According to statistics, this means that about 344, 596 Guyanese adults received the full jab, since the roll out of the massive vaccination campaign. Records show too that 444, 950 adults or 86.7 percent of the adult population have received their first dose. During the COVID19 update on Thursday, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said 35, 373 or 48.5 per cent of Guyanese between the ages 12 to 17

General domestic covid vaccinated for Tuesday's & Saturday's between Cove & John & Machaica, E.C.D 2590953/623-3231.

Looking for a 3-bedroom house with yardspace between Herstelling - Grove Whatsapp653-7776 Looking for a 2/3-Bedroom house with yard space in Berbice (Skeldon)Whatsapp 653-7776

VACANCY One male sales rep,age 2025.Must have knowledge of auto accessories. Contact: 610-0340.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 2350. Car & Van License.

Call:642-9823.

Experienced cashier, cleaner and counter person.Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp & New MarketSt. Security,Room attendant, Receptionist and Deskstaff 2545 years old .233 South Road Lacytown,tel:2250198.

Vacancy- Lorry Drivers & Porters Contact: 650-0979.

Cook / Baker, Pitmen, Servicemen & Technical Assistant for interior location Applicants must be experienced. Call 231-2250.

Heavy Equipment Servicemen for interior location. Applicants must be experienced with proof of qualifications.

Beginners need no apply. 2312250.

Chrome Construction Hiring One experienced Office assistance (Preferably female) Call: 679-5617 Chrome Construction Hiring Grader, Excavator, roller Operators & Truck driver for interior / Urban Road works Call: 679-5617 Sales Clerk(Must have experience and work on Sunday only) Inventory Clerk Contact: 2258721

Aidan's Car Rental. Call: 2253234 / 698-7807

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Te l : 6 0 9 - 2 9 9 5 E m a i l : survival.humanresources@gmail.com Bond clerks / Porter- Survival Shoppingcomplex Te l : 6 0 9 - 2 9 9 5 E m a i l : survival.humanresources@gmail.com Drivers- Requirements: Valid Drivers license (with motor lorry) Tel:609-2995Email: survival.humanresources@gmail.com Poultry/ Livestock farmerone family to live in and work at Soesdyke, Linden highway Contact: 609-2995 / 621-4992 Vacancy exist for counter staff at Dian's Deli Call: 621-7862.

Mini Bus & Taxi Drivers, work and keep. Call: 225-3234 / 6987807

took their first jab, while 25, 876 or 35.5 per cent of the age cohort is fully vaccinated.

Moreover, a total of 6,325 or 6.2 per cent of children ages five to 11, got the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 1,529 doses of the second jab were distributed to the same age cohort. Although the five-to 11-year-old vaccine drive was recently rolled out by government, Minister Anthony reiterated the need for improved partnership with parents.

He emphasised that the approach will ensure more children are protected. “…Even while we are rolling this out, remember we waited a long time to be able to access these types of vaccines [for children] between five and 11, so now that we have the vaccines, it’s important that we get parents to bring their children to be vaccinated. You don’t want your child to go back to

school and be vulnerable to an infection,” Dr. Anthony urged. He stressed that there is a need to advance the 70,000 booster shots, which have been administered to date.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister reiterated that there are different strains of the Omicron virus that is circulating. With Omicron, there are five various subvariants; BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5. Dr. Anthony said the ministry has discovered that a number of people who might have endured the devastating virus before are being reinfected. “In January, we would have seen more BA1 and BA2 kind of presentation, and now what we are seeing is a BA5 presentation. What has happened is that even if you were infected with BA1 or BA2 previous, you can get reinfected with BA5. We are

seeing people who probably would have had COVID before, whether with Omicron, or with some other variant that they are getting re-infected”, he opined.

He said there are cases where senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, as well as those unvaccinated, are the ones currently being hospitalised.

Comorbidities, Dr. Anthony referenced, describe someone who bears more than one disease or condition within their body at the same time. Minister Anthony pointed out that in order for anyone to keep up to date with protection against the fatal virus, they should take a booster shot every six months. “Booster doses are available. Unfortunately, a lot of people who remain vulnerable to COVID who can end up with a severe form of COVID because of the (Continued on page 17)

GAWU defends pact with TT oil...

From page 15 our activities among workers within the sector, we have learnt of the departure of certain practices whether enshrined in Statute or otherwise.

Some of these issues were only remedied after we brought it to the attention of the relevant authorities.”

The Union submitted that had good industrial relations been a hallmark of the sector, “such issues we believe would not have existed,” and offered to provide the relevant evidence to the Chamber to foster support for the necessary action needed in strengthening local workers representation. The Union has thus offered the GOGEC to an engagement that will

allow the union to bring the agency up to speed.

The GAWU said nonetheless that it sees the MoC with the OWTU as an important step in advancing the rights and conditions of Guyanese workers within the sector. “Indeed, it strengthens solidarity between workers of the region’s energy powerhouses. It also allows the GAWU and the workers overall to benefit from the experiences of the OWTU.” The GAWU believes that the collaboration is critical for allowing citizens to avoid any pitfalls and to repeat successes.

The GAWU said also that it has had “long standing” relations with the OWTU and urged that GOGEC to see the wisdom in the collaboration.

The GAWU is seeking to become the official bargaining agent for local oil and gas workers and has so far brought to the fore numerous cases of what could be described as worker exploitation and discrimination.

The union has even described some of the treatment meted out to some local oil and gas workers as “heartless” as workers were not being compensated properly or at all when injured on the job; that they were in many cases receiving less pay than their foreign counterparts and that some companies were promoting attractive but misleading pay structures that saw local workers actually receiving wages within the meager minimum wage.

While the workers also complained about not having issues with safety wear or having to pay for same, it was explained that when it came to payment, some companies were promoting benefits that summed to hefty wages, but the payment of the benefits are entirely at the discretion of the companies.

‘Romantic...’

From page 8 clear the package. She reportedly transferred the money to Richards via Western Union and Alex disappeared from Facebook and never made contact with her again. The package with the expensive overseas never arrived too and when the victim realised she was scammed, a report was made and SOCU launched an investigation. SOCU’s investigations led them to arrest Richards. It was later recommended that she be charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Friday July 29, 2022

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

$64M to build office for DPP in Reg. 2 - Engineer’s Estimate

T

he Ministry of Le gal Affairs is look ing to apply part of a Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan to

construct a building to house the Essequibo branch of the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ministry of Legal Affairs Construction of building- Office of the Director of DPP.

The project which was opened recently at the National Procurement and Te n d e r A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Board (NPTAB) office is

estimated to cost US$321,089 (GY$64M). The ministry in its invitation for bids had stated that the loan was received through

Procurement of computer hardware and accessories.

the Support for the Criminal Justice System. The DDP office is expected to be constructed at Onderneeming on the

Essequibo Coast and will last a minimum of nine months from the start date.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Procurement of air conditioning units.

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Lot1: construction of security fence, gates with lights at the Business Incubator Centre, Lot2: construction of one guard hut, Lot3: rehabilitation of one guard hut.

Ministry of Health Supply and delivery of field materials for biomedical engineering.

Supply and delivery of tablet envelopes and zip lock bags.

Prequalification of suppliers – medical equipment, reagents and consumables.

Ministry of Finance Proposal for Guyana Lottery products and services solution provider.

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Repairs to corridors.

Supply and delivery of office material and stationery supplies.

Supreme Court Inclusion of the clerk of court living quarters at the Linden Magistrate’s Court Region 10- Phase 2 (completion).

Supply and delivery of janitorial and cleaning supplies.

Guyanese fishermen detained in Suriname after busted with false fishing licenses Kaieteur News has been able to confirm that a number of Guyanese boats and crews have be e n d e t a i n e d i n Suriname after authorities there found them with false fishing licenses.

This newspaper understands that the f i shing boats are from Georgetown. In search of

Supply and delivery of refreshment/ dietary supplies.

67.2 percent adults fully...

From page 16 risk factor that they have… many of them have not come back for their booster doses,” Dr. Anthony stated. Those persons could eventually become hospitalised or in some instances die, if they are reinfected, Minister Anthony

stated. The ministry has administered approximately 405 doses of vaccines within the last 24 hours.

Additionally, there have been 62 new cases, while 641 active cases are being tracked. No deaths were recorded during the period. (DPI)

catch, they made their ways into the Berbice River and then crossed over into Suriname waters.

They reportedly did not know that the Suriname fishing licenses in their possession were illegal. Based on reports received, they had rented the licenses from Suriname fishermen.

PAGE 18

Friday July 29, 2022

Kaieteur News

Biden speaks with China’s Xi as tension grows over Taiwan (CNN) - President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held a lengthy and candid discussion about Taiwan on Thursday as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing, despite Biden’s onetime hope of stabilizing the world’s most important country-to-country relationship.

The issue has emerged as a serious point of contention, as US officials fear a more imminent Chinese move on the self-governing island and as a potential visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prompts warnings from Beijing and a concerted effort by the Biden administration to prevent tensions from spiraling into conflict.

The matter was discussed at length in the two-hourand-17-minute phone call Thursday. Xi offered an ominous warning to Biden, according to China’s version of events.

“Public opinion shall not be violated, and if you play with fire you get burned. I hope the US side can see this clearly,” he told Biden, according to China’s state

news agency.

The White House’s account of the call was less specific.

“On Taiwan, President Biden underscored that the United States policy has not changed and that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” a US readout read.

The phone call was Biden and Xi’s fifth conversation since February 2021. Ahead of time, US officials said a range of topics — from the tensions surrounding Taiwan to economic competition to the war in Ukraine — were likely to arise.

But hopes for substantially improving ties with Beijing were low. Instead, Biden’s aides hope maintaining a personal connection with Xi can, at most, avoid a miscalculation that might lead to confrontation.

“This is the kind of relationship-tending that President Biden believes strongly in doing, even with nations with which you might

This combination of file pictures created on June 08, 2021, shows US President Joe Biden (L) speaking at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC on June 2, 2021; and Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking on arrival at Macau’s international airport on December 18, 2019. (AFP) have significant differences,” communications coordinator for the National Security Council John Kirby said this week.

Planning for Biden’s phone call with Xi predated the furor over Pelosi’s proposed visit to Taipei, having been in discussions

ExxonMobil awards contract to lay Gas-to-Shore...

From page 14 Guyanese people and we look forward to continuing our relationship with EEPGL in one of the most prolific and exciting development basins in the world.”

Hans van Gaalen, Commercial Director for Van Oord, adds, “Van Oord is honoured to have been selected for the Guyana Gas to Energy project in cooperation with Subsea 7.

Developing the coastal infrastructure for the project will allow our Subsea 7 and Van Oord consortium to positively contribute to the development of Guyana’s electricity supply which in turn will reduce Guyana’s dependence on imported fuels.”

This publication had reported that, already, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been submitted to the EPA by ExxonMobil for the pipeline component of the US-billion dollar venture.

Upon the submission of that document, environmentalists have argued against the “chopping” of the project into several aspects. In fact, it was a Geologist, Simone MangalJoly that explained the Environmental Protection Act clearly states that an EIA must be done for a whole project and does not permit splitting into parts based on who is financing or running a specific part. She reasoned, “I did not engage the gas-to-shore EIA process beyond the 28-day period comment period in July

2021 on the terms of reference for the study because the process is a farce. This was obvious to me when the EPA ignored submissions in that comment period and proceeded with allowing ExxonMobil to do an EIA without including the power plant.”

Moreover, the residents of Crane and the Canal Polders on the West Bank of Demerara opposed the EIA and called for the study to be redone as they were not consulted.

Meanwhile, on July 2, the Ministry of Natural Resources moved to invite proposals for consultancy services for the supervision of the integrated NGL Plant and the 300 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant. This move by the government was criticized by the former Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams as he believes this was another case of the government putting the cart before the horse. This move by the government was criticized by the former Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams as he believes this was another case of the government putting the cart before the horse. He said that the government should not be inviting consultants to supervise the construction of the facilities without conducting an EIA. He said, “…What an EIA does, before you even start construction, it drives

the design of the facility because the EIA has got to identify hazards for example so when it does that then the developer would design it to mitigate against these hazards. So what they are doing is putting the cart before the horse. You cannot design and construct a facility if you don’t know what the hazards are.”

Similarly, Mangal-Joly also told this publication that the government’s approach is “unethical and amounts to willful duping of the public by shading and distancing the true scope of risks and potential impacts of the project. It’s saddening to see the Ministry of Natural Resources advertising for personnel for parts of this project not yet applied for or approved amid a contested pipeline EIA process.”

She added, “It shows contempt for the people of Guyana, rule of law, and democratic norms. Folks seem to want to talk about these things when it comes to national elections but not when it comes to environmental governance.”

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on the sideline of the National Toshaos Council Conference told this publication in an exclusive interview that the EPA is now vetting the government’s application for the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and the power plant.

for weeks. Biden is also currently weighing whether to lift some Trump-era tariffs on China in a bid to ease inflation, though White House officials said he hadn’t yet made up his mind and suggested the topic wouldn’t factor heavily into his conversation with Xi. Instead, it is China’s escalating aggression in the region — including over Taiwan and the South China Sea — at the center of the current tensions. US officials fear without open lines of communication, misunderstandings could spiral into unintended conflict. That includes how Beijing responds to Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan.

Administration officials have been working quietly over the past week to convince the House speaker of the risks inherent in visiting the self-governing island.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday he’d spoken to Pelosi to provide

his “assessment of the security situation.”

Pelosi has not made any announcements about her plans for a trip, which haven’t been finalized.

“I never talk about my travel. It’s a danger to me,” she said Wednesday.

Yet even unofficial word that the third-in-line to the US presidency was considering a visit to Taiwan prompted an outsized response from Beijing, which considers visits by top-ranking American officials a sign of diplomatic relations with the island.

“If the US insists on taking its own course, the Chinese military will never sit idly by, and it will definitely take strong actions to thwart any external force’s interference and separatist’s schemes for ‘Taiwan independence,’ and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Tan

Kefei said Tuesday in response to questions over Pelosi’s reported trip to Taipei.

The White House called those comments “unnecessary” and “unhelpful,” saying the rhetoric only served to escalate tensions “in a completely unnecessary manner.”

They also revealed what US officials have said is a misunderstanding by Chinese officials over the significance of Pelosi’s potential visit. The officials said China may be confusing Pelosi’s visit with an official administration visit since both she and Biden are Democrats. Administration officials are concerned that China doesn’t separate Pelosi from Biden much, if at all.

That adds pressure to Biden’s call with Xi. Officials were circumspect about whether Pelosi’s visit would arise, or how much it would factor into the conversation.

But China’s apparent confusion over the differences between the White House and Congress could inject a level of personal animus into the talks. Administration officials’ concerns over Pelosi’s trip are rooted partly in its timing. It would come at a particularly tense moment, with the upcoming Chinese Communist Party congress during which Xi is expected to seek an unprecedented third term putting pressure on the leadership in Beijing to show strength. Chinese party officials are expected to begin laying the groundwork for that conference in the coming weeks. With China recently reporting its worst economic performance in two years, Xi finds himself in a politically sensitive situation ahead of the important meeting.

US federal firefighters grapple with staffing crisis The low-paid workforce is stretched dangerously thin, firefighters say, as record-setting blazes rage across the country.

(AL JAZEERA) - Los Angeles, California, US – Facing longer and more intense wildfire seasons, US federal firefighters say their workforce is beset by low wages and mounting vacancies, which are affecting their ability to do their job. As prolonged periods of drought and rising temperatures turn overgrown forests into kindling, tens of thousands of fires have ripped through millions of acres of land across the

United States this year.

But despite a growing need for firefighters’ services, the staffing crisis continues to worsen, worker advocacy groups and firefighters say.

“The worse fires get and the more short-staffed crews become, the more trauma gets loaded onto firefighters,” Kelly Ramsey, a former firefighter with the US Forest Service (USFS), told Al Jazeera. “The work is inherently dangerous, but it’s less safe if crews don’t have

the resources they need.”

Nearly a dozen federal firefighters, who spoke with Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, said vacancies in California and other western states remain “widespread and extensive”.

“We didn’t have enough people to fill all our positions, so we asked around to see if other crews had extra workers who could help out,” one California-based firefighter said.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 29, 2022

GAWU denies ignoring plight of AMCAR With some 30 workers now on the breadline and their employer currently shutting its doors, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) which represents the severed staffers said it did not ignore the challenges faced by the company and did seek government’s intervention toward securing the company’s continued operations.

GAWU said in a public response that it would have noticed publications in some sections of the media by the Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR) charging, among other things, that the Guyana GAWU was aware of its plight. The Union said that the statement appeared to give the impression that the G AW U d i d n o t g i v e sufficient credence to the challenges the AMCAR was confronting. “Contrary to their belief and in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Recognition and Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement, our Union sought, within its means, to address the concerns that were shared with us.” Arising from a request by AMCAR, “GAWU wrote Government officials expressing our concerns and seeking the Government’s support in assisting the company. In respect of the recruitment of harvesters, we did seek to raise such opportunities among former sugar workers,” the Union clarified.

The GAWU had issued its concern just days ago when the company announced that it was closing its doors and some 30 persons were now being made redundant. The Union said it was aware of issues facing the AMCAR but was shocked when it announced its closing since they were aware of the company’s principals being in contact with the government.

T h e G AW U s a i d however that their most recent communication on the AMCAR matter indicated that some positive momentum was emerging.

“We were informed that the company was engaging the Government and, therefore, naturally our expectation was that the worse was behind us. Whatever may be the case, the AMCAR is required to address certain lawful obligations. At this point, this remains

unaddressed though we have r e c e i v e d s o m e communication and expectedly will provide grounds for engagements.”

In the meantime, GAWU’s foremost concern remains with the workers who have been made jobless. The Union said it recognizes the challenges the workers and their families now confront and “We will stand with them in this difficult period.”

AMCAR is said to be in the business of processing and exporting Heart of Palm since 1986. Certified organic for the first time in 1998, it has since developed other products by processing the famous Guyana sugarloaf pineapples. Both products are certified organic and are International Featured Standard (IFS) since 2010, a company profile said. The c o m p a n y ’s o p e r a t i o n s involve communities in North West, Essequibo and the Berbice regions. It said that the quality of the product, the constant research for innovative packaging and the dedication and excellence of staff are some of the factors that have contributed to the success of these products on the export market.

On July 25, the company informed the GAWU that it had decided to shut down its R o s i g n o l , We s t B a n k Berbice plant and will send home the approximately 30person workforce. The GAWU which represents the plant employees was stunned by the decision despite the company complaining about challenges it was encountered. GAWU said it was aware that the company’s principals were in contact with the Government to address some of the difficulties they were confronting. “It was, therefore, shocking when the GAWU learnt that the AMCAR had decided to close its operations at this time.” For the workers, the news was a bombshell, as they have now sought to look elsewhere to secure a livelihood, the Union related. The GAWU said it stands with the mostly female workforce as they are saddened by the Company’s decision to terminate them, “more so as they were highly dependent on their earnings.”

Following a written correspondence, GAWU said it awaits a response from the company as it insists that the company has obligations to their former staff.

PAGE 19

AMCAR staffers on duty

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 29, 2022

Friday July 29, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Malteenoes Cricket Academy closing ceremony to be held today

By Sean Devers After two weeks of funfilled cricket related activities, the curtains come down on Malteenoes cricket Academy today with closing ceremony at its Thomas Road venue.

Despite the inclement weather making the ground unplayable until Wednesday when some of the over 80 participants got their first ‘Pitch’ practice, the batting, bowling and fielding were held at the National Park, two minutes’ walk from the Club which was founded in 1902.

Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport Charles Ramson Jnr had given permission for the use of the Park’s Tarmac dur-

the Presidency of Claude Raphael and the last Academy was a scaled down event in 2018. Guyana Beverages, Associated Brands, Massy Stores Providence, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Fireside Grill & Suites, Star Party Rentals, Trophy Stall,

Clyde Butts with the participants at the Malteenoes cricket academy. (Sean Devers photo)

ing his feature address at the opening Ceremony. The participants, between the ages of seven and 18 including 15 females, were taught the skills

of batting, bowling, catching, the laws of cricket, drugs in sports and life skills among other topics. Each participant was presented with a jersey

Friday July 29, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There's an important lesson to learn today, Aries, so don't shy away from the classroom. It's important to control your attitude now or it's likely to control you. It could be that your ego is a bit too inflated

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There's a great deal of fuel to keep your fire raging today, Libra. Powerful situations are apt to come your way in which you're asked to take decisive action. Don't shy away from added responsibility.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Consider the romantic relationships in your life right now, Taurus. It's important to remember that regardless of how hot and steamy a partnership is at first,

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Remember that one wrong move today could cause you to have a headache for a good long while, Scorpio.

Don't take uncalculated risks. There's dynamism and confidence in the air. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's a long road to becoming exactly the person you want to be, Sagittarius. You can't change who you are. Input from every person you know and lessons from every bump in the road.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today is your day to become a hero, Gemini. You don't have to be dressed in fancy tights and a cape to make an important difference in someone's life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) There's a great deal of fun to be had today, Cancer. Money isn't always necessary to make this happen, however.

In fact, money isn't a great way to keep score.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You should always leave a loved one with loving words, Capricorn. Each time you exit a room, consider that you're never going to enter that room again. Perhaps you'll never see those people again.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Remember that the important thing isn't necessarily what you're doing but the people you're with, Leo. There's a great deal of passion in the air today that you can latch onto and put to good use.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Just when you think you have absolutely no energy left, you're able to kick into a higher gear. Push beyond your limits today, Aquarius.

You'll find that you can achieve a great deal.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You could learn a tough lesson today, Virgo. More than likely, the harder the message hits you, the more important it was for you to hear. It's important that you accept failure gracefully.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Regardless of how you feel today, Pisces, it's important to own up to your mistakes.

Keep in mind that you're responsible for your actions.

No matter how much you might want to shrink away,

with one of the sponsors logos on it including the premier sponsor Remote MD. On Wednesday, former West Indies off-spinner Clyde Butts spoke to the large gathering about spin bowling.

The 65-year-old Butts who played seven Tests and captured 346 wickets from 87 First-Class matches, stressed the importance of turning the ball and patience since, unlike fast bowlers who can drive fear into batters, a spinner has to rely on being smart and out-foxing the batters.

Wednesday afternoon’s session utilised the club’s upper flat, the pitch, the carpark and the concrete pitch at the back of the club for different drills.

Among those giving lectures were Umpire Colin Alfred, Guyana Harpy Eagles Captain Leon Johnson, Roger Harper, Butts and a representative of the Ministry of Education.

Each day classes were held from 9AM to 3AM with a break for Lunch.

Malteenoes held the first National Cricket Academy in the Caribbean in 1993 under

DeSinco Trading, Exotic, Shawn Holder Brokerage, Banks DIH Ltd, Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport, Stanley Phillip’s Printing, GCB, HJ 94.1 Boom FM & 96.1 Voice FM the Banging Station, have supported this year’s Academy.

PAGE 22

Friday July 29, 2022

Kaieteur News

2022 Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship…

Guyana pitted in Group E of League B, campaign begins against TCA on Sunday Miami, FL – Concacaf has announced the schedule and groups for the 2022 Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship (CGU15C). The Developmental Tournament, which will feature 19 Concacaf Member-Associations and Wales (invited guest), is scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 7, in Tampa, Florida.

The 44 matches of the week long competition will all take place at the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex.

Fans will be able to follow and enjoy the competition through the Confederation’s Official App (subject to territory restrictions) and TV partner networks, including Flow Sports (Caribbean).

To ensure sporting balance and fully leverage this exceptional development opportunity for all young players, the participating teams have been divided into two leagues (according to their Concacaf Women’s Under17 Ranking of May 2022) and sub-divided into groups. The Leagues and groups are as follows: League A - Group A; Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Wales. Group B has United States, Canada, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

League B - Group C; Bermuda, Belize, Anguilla and Martinique. Group D: Honduras, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands and Aruba.

Group E: Nicaragua, Guyana, Turks and Caicos Islands and

The Guyana U-15 female footballer take a photo following a training session.

Cayman Islands The competition will kick off with a group stage between July 31 and August 3.

At the conclusion of round

robin play, the best teams will advance to the knockout stage, to be played in a single game direct elimination format.

For League A, the group winners and second place finishers will advance to the semifinals on August 5, followed by the Final on August

7. League B will follow a similar format, with the group winners (three) and the best second place finisher advancing to the semifinals.

Furthermore, the teams that do not advance to the knockout stage will dispute an additional match for final position in the competition./ With this fo r m a t , e a c h League will crown a Champion and guarantee that every participating team plays a minimum of four competitive matches.

The previous edition of the Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship took place in 2018, in Bradenton, Florida. The United States won its second title at this age level after defeating Mexico 3-0 in the League A Final. The 2020 edition of the competition was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic./

Heyliger (5-34) pilots Canada to victory Right-arm seamer and Canada-based Guyanese Dillon Heyliger grabbed five wickets for 34 runs to help Canada beat Denmark by 74 runs on Wednesday at King City ground, North Toronto.

It was the start of the International Cricket Council Challenge League A six-team competition. They are competing for a spot at next year’s 50-over World Cup to be held in India.

Heyliger, who represented Guyana at the youth level, delivered eight overs to help bowl out Denmark for 145 in the 44th over after Canada had made 219-8 from the 20-overs.

Heyliger got support from left-arm spinner Salman Nazar who captured 3-28

Dillon Heyliger from 8.2 overs while off-spinner Varun Sehdev took 2-29 from 10-overs tidy overs.

Surya Anand led the fight for the visitors with 39 while Saif Ahmad scored 34 and 28 from Zameer Khan.

When Canada batted at the invitation of Denmark,

their innings struggled initially, but Nicolas Kirton hit a top-score of 48 and brought about the stability while experienced player Saad Bin Zafar made 43 and Harsh Thaker with 39.

Wicketkeeper Shreyaz Movva contributed a steady 35 not out. Matthew Spoors supported with 27 as well.

Hamid Shah and Oliver Hald claimed two wickets each bowling for Denmark.

The competition was to continue yesterday with two matches at the same venue while Canada will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday against Singapore. The other participating countries are: Malaysia, Qatar and Vanuatu.

Each team will play each other once.

CAC Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships…

Guyana’s Team of 11 arrive Guyana’s athletes and officials have arrived in Barbados for the 49th edition of the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.

The two-day event starts today at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in the parish of St Michael.

Guyana will be repre-

sented by 11 athletes, seven males and the remainder females.

The full team reads….

Emmerson Campbell (Men’s Physique), Jonathan Jeffrey (Men’s Physique), bikini athletes - Christina Ramsammy and Hannah Rampersaud. Bodybuilde r s : R o g e r C a l l e n d e r,

Nicholas Albert, Darious Ramsammy, Rawle Green and Julio Sinclair.

Wellness competitors, Rosanna Fung and Asanti Conway complete the outfit.

Videsh Sookram and the federation’s president, Keavon Bess are the officials on the sojourn.

Friday July 29, 2022

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Hetmyer returns to West Indies squad for T20Is against India and New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo - Batter Shimron Hetmyer has returned to West Indies’ T20I squad for the upcoming fivematch series against India and the following three-match series against New Zealand after clearing a fitness test.

Hetmyer had been omitted from West Indies’ recent squads on fitness grounds, and was more recently with the ODI squad in Port-ofSpain to work with the trainers and the support staff. He last represented West Indies in November 2021, during the T20 World Cup in the UAE. “We welcome back Hetmyer and it is good to see him again in West Indies colours,” chief selector Desmond Haynes said in a CWI media release. “He will fortify the batting group and with his experience and adaptability we have a ‘finisher’ who can add value and win matches for the team and delight the supporters.

“Everything we do, we have to take into consideration we have a big tournament coming up later this year, which is the ICC T20 World

Cup, so we are planning and gearing up towards that event. It is good to give the players some exposure to the international stage and look to find the right combinations.”

Opening batter Evin Lewis, however, was not part of the squad once again. After Lewis was overlooked for the recent white-ball series at home against Bangladesh, Haynes had said that Lewis had not completed a fitness test that had been arranged for him during his IPL stint with Lucknow Super Giants.

Left-arm fingerspinner Gudakesh Motie, who had been sidelined from the second and third ODIs against India with a fractured thumb, sustained while fielding, has not recovered sufficiently to be available for selection for the T20Is against India and New Zealand. In the absence of Motie, Akeal Hosein, the other left-arm fingerspinner, and Hayden Walsh Jr, the legspinner, are the frontline spin options for West Indies.

Allrounder Fabian Allen, who can also bowl left-arm

Keep Your Five Alive Football to be launched on July 30 Adoni Productions is set to launch its 8th annual “Keep Your Five Alive” football tournament tomorrow, Saturday July 30th, 2022.

Due to overwhelming public interest the tournament will see over 32 teams participating this year. The popular 5- a-side tournament has been known to positively affect grassroots football players, who see the competition as an opportunity to display their skills.

The concept of the tournament is that each five-member team must win every game to advance. Since a loss will lead to immediate elimination, the teams have been known to fight even harder to secure the trophy and over two million dollars in prizes, making it an extremely entertaining and competitive event.

Over the years the tournament, which prides itself in

being safe for all, has captured unwavering support of many less fortunate communities such as: Tiger Bay, Back Circle, Albouystown and many others.

The competition is slated to be played at the National Gymnasium on July 30th, August 6th, 13th and 20th with the final on August 27th at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Keep Your Five Alive is made possible by The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, GT Beer, Mohamed Enterprise, 94.1 Boom FM, Fireside Grill, Star Party Rental, Outside Bar, Aronco Services Inc, VP Sports, Prestige Distribution Services, Colours Boutique, La Rose Boutique Kevin’s Reflections, News Source (with the Gordon Moseley Role Model award for the Most Disciplined player in the tournament) and Guyana Football Federation.

spin, has pulled out for personal reasons. Allen has not played a competitive game since making his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in April 2022.

Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell, meanwhile, was unavailable because of injury.

Allrounders Dominic Drakes, who was part of the reserves for the T20Is against Bangladesh, and Jason Holder, who recovered from Covid-19 and proved his fitness in the third ODI against India on Wednesday, returned to the main squad.

West Indies have a wealth of all-round options to choose from: Keemo Paul, who has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during the Bangladesh series, Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith are the others. Devon Thomas has been retained as the back-up wicketkeeper to Pooran, ahead of Shai Hope.

Apart from Thomas, Shamarh Brooks and Brandon King, all the members of West Indies’ T20I squad have had a taste of the IPL as squad members or net bowlers. Hosein and

Walsh Jr. have worked with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals respectively as net bowlers.

The first T20I against India at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Friday will also be the first international match to be played at the venue. Warner Park in Basseterre will host the next two T20Is before the sides head to Lauderhill for the final two T20Is. Three days after the last T20I against India, West Indies will face a full-strength New Zealand team in a three-match T20I series in Jamaica.

Pooran had said earlier this week that he was wary of the workload but wanted his best players to be available for selection as West Indies build towards the T20 World Cup this year and the ODI World Cup next year.

“That [managing workloads] is a tough one because as a group we want to win and we want all our players to be available for us,” Pooran said. “But in seeing that we need to look after our players and that’s the key as a collective effort for the coach, chairman of selectors

The West Indies squad for the opening match.

(ESPNcricinfo Ltd)

and myself, we need to determine… not only myself but the other guys who we believe need to rest.

“Obviously, that’s very important with eight T20 games coming up, four more ODIs and then CPL coming up and the addition of the 6ixty

and the CPL, we definitely need to manage the players.

How? I’m not too sure, but we need to figure it out and be smart about it as well. But, at the end of the day, we want to win, and we need to have all our guys to be available to us.”

PAGE 24

Wiltshire begins Guyana Squash campaign today

By Sean Devers Guyana opens their campaign in Squash at the 19th Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England this morning at 8:30 AM (Guy time) when Caribbean Junior Champion Shomari Wiltshire faces Rhys Dowling on the Glass Court of the University of Birmingham Squash Courts.

The 18-year Wiltshire, the National Junior Champion, has also won the Caribbean U13, U15 and U17 titles and says he is not expected to do much.

The youngest child of Roxanne George-Wiltshire and Garfield Wiltshire, Shomari will face 27-year-old Aussie Rhys Dowling who is making his debut at these games.

“They are some top players at this tournament, so I just want to see how I can do against them and give my best. I want to win my first round match and hopefully I can win one of my doubles matches because that would be good for morale,” Wiltshire said.

The talented Shomari, whose dad (Garfield) is a

Friday July 29, 2022

Kaieteur News

former Southern Caribbean Squash Champion and both of his sisters (Akela & Larissa) have represented Guyana in squash, is playing in the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

The 27-year-old Jason Ray-Khalil makes his Commonwealth Games debut and takes on Paul Kadoma from the USA later today (Guy time) 1:30 PM in the other Men’s match for Guyana.

In the Women’s category, 29-year-old Ashley Khalil will battle Sri Lankan Yeheni Kuruppu today from (Guy time) 8:15 AM. Ashley made her senior National debut at 14 after being awarded the junior sportsman of the Year in 2007.

This is her second Commonwealth Games after competing as a 17 year-old in her first in India in 2010.

“This is such a high-level Games. My main goal is to obviously better my last time in 2010. I was a junior in 2010 so it has been quite a few years, but for me, it’s just to come out and play some good squash and make Guyana proud,” Khalil said.

Mary Fung-a-Fat draws the bye and will play Kaitlyn Watts of New Zealand tomorrow at (Guy time) 8:30 AM. The 28-year-old Mary, also a qualified Squash Coach, entered Professional squash in 2016 and this is her first Commonwealth Games.

Mary was able to secure a sport scholarship to play Varsity college squash at Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2013 and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Health Science she has a Masters of Counseling Psychology for Mental Health.

Jason-Ray Khalil (Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles) and Shomari Wiltshire (Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles) will compete in the Men’s Category, while Ashley Khalil (Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles) and Mary Fung-A-Fat (Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles) will participate in Women’s competitions.

Guyana has won 16 Medals since 1930 when the Games were held in Canada but Squash has never won a medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Double Carifta 1500m bronze medalist Shaqua Tyrrell wings out today on two year scholarship at Mississippi’s Hinds Community College in USA After landing successive bronze medals at the Carifta Games in 2018 and 2019 over 1500m, Linden’s former Wismar/ Christianburg Secondary School middle distance athlete Shaqua Tyrrell has won a scholarship to Hinds Community College in the state of Mississippi and will wing out this evening for the United States where she will make her entry to the college on 10th August.

Her father and coach of the Wismar/ Christianburg Secondary school Moses Pantlitz said that his 19 year old daughter had performed outstandingly in 2019 and was pleased that she now can take up the track and field scholarship offer to attend the college where she will be able to compete at the NCJAA level for the next two years while being there.

Shaqua Tyrrell was an outstanding performer over the 800 m and 1500m events throughout her secondary school years where she performed excellently at the Inter schools and at the National Schools and Track and Field championships from 2015 up to 2019.

“Shaqua will be leaving Guyana to do the 800m or 1500m events, however when you reach there it is possible that the coaches will put her

Shaqua Tyrrell according to their inclination of her talent. Presently Shaqua has been competing at the 800m and 1500m where her better results have been over the 1500m,” coach Pantlitz said in a brief comment of his daughter.

This is clear since she is a two time Under17 Girls 1500m Bronze Medalist at the CARIFTA Games when it was staged in the Cayman Islands in 2018 and again in The Bahamas in 2019.

Ms. Tyrrell said she was very excited to be afforded the opportunity to attend a college in the US where she can improve both academically and on the track under conditions which will be helpful in her quest to show her true potential as an athlete.

Coach Pantlitz was high in praise for former National Middle distance champion

Tyrrell at Bayrock ground recently in Wismar Marian Burnett who was instrumental in Shaqua Tyrrell getting this opportunity to study and train in the US. She began her athletic career at the New Silver City Secondary School and completed her secondary education at the Wismar / Christianburg Secondary School, representing District 10 Upper Demerara / Kwakwani over those years from 2015 through to 2019 at the Nationals.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 29, 2022

PAGE 25

Berbice businesses continue to rally for the success of Guyana Cup B

erbice is often considered as the ancient county that thrives on the closeness of their communities. Many have expressed their utter passion for horseracing as most of the active racing tracks are in the Berbice area.

From a dream that was born over 14 years ago to now hosting the biggest horseracing event in the Caribbean, Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed is dedicated to be the driving force behind this mega event.

With first-hand experience as a trainer and event promoter, especially since he was part of the transition of Guyana Cup, his father’s legacy was casted in stone and handed down so all of the horse owners and stables can work together to present world class horseracing.

As residents of the Berbice area, numerous bus ines s ow ners have

showed their support for the races carded for August 14 .

Creating employment for over 500 and generating income for all the concessions present, is paramount to the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee.

P o o n a i P h a r m a c y, Impressive Signs and Associated Construction Services have all maintained their place as a household name in the Berbice area.

They continue to show financial support for the upliftment of sport and by extension their home track.

Only a few weeks away from the biggest Horse Racing Event in the Caribbean, the JJTRC has already started their much anticipated Guyana Cup Road Show that rolled into Stabroek market car park on Friday 21 July and is now set to reach Linden today, Friday 29 for a presentation at the Linden Georgetown Bus Park.

On Sunday 14th August at the Rising Sun Turf Club th

st

th

Josh Rampersaud from Impressive Signs presents their contribution to Navindra Ramnauth. the competition will be stiff with over 100 horses set to enter the 8 races for over $30,000,000 in cash prizes.

Get there before noon to avoid the rush and remember indoor parking is available for over 1,000 cars.

This event was made

Participants going through their paces.

By Zaheer Mohamed The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/ National Sports Commission (NSC) annual Swim camp commenced recently with a record 1500 participants.

The camp is being held at Colgrain pool and National Aquatic Centre for persons from six to 18 years old and it is geared to prepare swimmers for national competitions and to teach swimming as a life skill.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport We d n e s d a y a t t h e N A C , coordinator and head coach, Paul Mahaica said he is pleased with the

response from both parents and children. “It’s been overwhelming from the parents and children. This is one of the biggest events ever held in Guyana for any sport. We have over 2000 children from Berbice, Linden and Georgetown, and there are lots more persons who are interested and we will be reaching out to them,” he added.

Mahaica stated that the youths are showing a lot of progress. “We did a lot of ground work and the children as well as their parents are very upbeat. Many people who never had an opportunity to try their hand at swimming are benefitting

possible through title sponsor Banks DIH and supporting sponsors Guinness, XM Rum, Smirnoff Vodka, Hop House 13, Johnny Walker, Forrester Lumber yard, S. Jagmohan, A&R Security, Progressive Travel Agency, Kris Jagdeo

Natahsa Boodram (right) presents the sponsorship to Navindra Ramnauth, Rep. for the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee.

General Contracting, Anwar Trucking Service, Impressive Signs & Graphics, Level Up Bar & Gaming, Auto Toy Store, Vals Construction, Dr. Poonai’s Pharmacy, Air services, Fix-It Tire Shop, Associated Construction

Services, Anand Ramchan’s Auto Body, Kings Jewelry Wo r l d , K & P P r o j e c t Management, Asif Auto Spares, Yellow Mines, Avinash Contracting, JS Guyana, Aronco, BM Soat, Club Neutraal, Japarts, AJM Enterprise & Jumbo Jet.

Head Coach Mahaica pleased with progress of NSC swim camp now and this is a wonderful imitative by the Ministry,” he explained.

The head coach feels that this programme augurs well for the sport. “This is a very big boost for swimming and the clubs should utilise the opportunity and reach out to the parents so their children can gain maximum benefits.

During the closing ceremony, the various clubs will set up booths at the NAC so as to encourage the youths to register and take up the sport as a career.

Mahaica stated that this programme will also be held in

other regions and that they have already started to reach out to the people in those areas. “We find that there is a lot of talent in those areas and we want to give the youths there the opportunity to hone their skills which will aid in the development of the sport,” he posited.

Participant, Malacia Alleyne, 18, said the programme has been very helpful. “I never knew there was any such programme here. It has improved my swimming quiet well, I am really excited and it would be fun to compete,” she stated. Alleyne added that the

Coaches have been very helpful and it’s good to see the students are having fun.

Another participant, 12 yearold, Lee Squires of Christianburg Wismar Secondary School in the mining town of Linden, said the camp has been very helpful to the children. “The coaches are doing a nice job and they (organisers) are also offering scholarships for promising students. This is my first programme and I would like to compete as well,” he related.

Squires is encouraging others to take up the sport. The Berbice and Linden legs will commence shortly.

rts o p S CAC Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships…

Guyana’s Team of 11 arrive

Team Guyana’s bodybuilding contingent pose for a photo following the registration and weigh in yesterday at the Divi Southwinds Hotel in Christchurch, Barbados.

Hetmyer returns to West Indies squad for T20Is against India and New Zealand

Shimron Hetmyer hasn’t played for West Indies since November 2021. (ICC via Getty)

Wiltshire begins Guyana Squash campaign today Members of the Guyana Squash team during yesterday’s opening ceremony.

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